Tires are among the most important components on a car, and while some OEM-spec rubber can handle your average track day, certain aftermarket options can help unlock a car's performance potential. On this episode of The Downshift, experts from Tire Rack join the Motor Trend team at the track to explore how swapping tires can affect performance.

For the test, a Ford Mustang V-6, Subaru BRZ, and BMW 328i sedan are brought out to Willow Springs International Raceway. Each car goes through three sets of tires with race car driver and Motor Trend hot shoe Randy Pobst at the helm. Pobst first samples each sporty car on its stock tires. The results vary, with the Mustang exhibiting low levels of grip and the BMW 328i's OEM tires being better suited for the track than the others. The Subaru BRZ's stock tires lacked grip, but the car's balance helped make up for it.Each set of tires installed after the OEM units are progressively more capable, ranging from Max Performance to Extreme Performance summer tires. Things improve every time a higher-performance tire is slapped on, but each car responds differently to the changes. Check out the full episode below to discover how the different tires impact performance.

Unfortunately, this video was filmed for people in California. My WRX shipped from the factory with similar summer performance tires as the the BMW came with, and they lack ANY kind of traction in wet weather. They hydroplane in terrifying fashion in heavy rain, and in light rain feel like they're covered in mucus. It makes what SHOULD be a stable all-weather car and turns it into something that one simply can't drive at all fast unless your weather is perfect - which only happens 15% of the time in my neck of the woods.

I would have loved to see a comparison of tires that also involved driving in the wet, so that one could see more of a trade-off between all-season performance tires & summer tires -- more than just the price & treadwear trade-offs made in the video.

@rinosaur@BlackDynamite. Unfortunately, the V6 is electronically speed limited to 113 mph - so in a high speen race the BRZ crushes it. Why - you ask? Because the drive-shaft in the Ford detonates at high speed, taking out the transmission - and if you disable the electronic limiter, you void the warranty.

sounds like the 328i could use a square 255 mm set of tires. wonder how randy would have liked that? (let's create a sport package that gives the front less grip on an otherwise 50/50 balanced car?)

the mustang is entertaining to watch over the bumps and transitions. hope randy didn't get sea sick...

the toyobaru is calling out for more power; i get the sense that the toyobaru essentially "feels" slow with gripier tires. it is almost like they tried to hide it's handling potential/lack of power with the crap tires. at least they got the suspension right. as compared to the the mustang which needs new wheels, tires, dampers, and springs to harness the performance potential in the chassis/powertrain. pick your poison i guess. drop a few thousand on a turbo for the toyobaru or a few thousands in suspension/grip for the mustang.